Communion

We discussed taking communion ("The Lord's Supper") in our discussion of food and the soul. I think this is a very interesting conversation, and so Tony Jones' post about taking communion made me think of our cohort and how we do things.

Read his post here if you'd like. 

He highlights six things from Moltmann that should characterize the communion experience. I thought it was interesting that we basically do all six of these things already.

1. Communion must be central to the Christian community, must be integrated into the heart of the worship service (not tacked on at the end), and must be celebrated with bread and wine.
2. The table must be open to those of varying theological views.
3. Baptism and confirmation must not be prerequisites for the fellowship of the table.
4. Everyone who follows Christ is qualified to administer the sacrament, and everyone is called upon to offer and distribute the elements.
5. Not only should the person performing the liturgy face the congregation, but the entire worship space should, if possible, be redesigned to a “‘common room’ in which the participants can see and talk to one another.’”
6. Communion should always be followed by “a common meal, and the proclamation of the gospel by a common discussion of people’s real needs and the specific tasks of Christian mission.

Community Night

Community Night is at our house, the Newbys'. We know it's the Super Bowl, so the plan is to start at 5 (we would like to actually start at 5 if possible), and then eat about 6:30ish- and we can keep an eye on the game if you want. You are welcome to stay as long as you'd like. We are having mexican fare, but don't have any beer- so if you want to bring some, you are welcome to bring it. We will provide everything else, though. We will be talking about the different names of God and sharing. We are looking forward to having everyone over. Please contact us if you need directions. If you haven't been here before, please contact us because GPS/mapquest/google maps are not 100% accurate. Please let us know if you are coming so we can have a headcount.

Let's Look at Art!!

Let's do it! Let's look at some art! And then discuss it! What fun!

That's about it. We did a discussion at the art museum a couple years ago and I quite enjoyed it. We will be discussing the role of art, so crucial to the history of faith and a primary way we understand how our brethren of the past saw God, in our spiritual lives. We'll meet at 3:00 in the lobby, then disperse to take in the newly renovated museum, and then we'll meet at 4:00...somewhere to discuss (cafe seems to now close at 3:00, but its too late to change plans...we'll figure something out). Should be fun. Plus, the museum is free on Sunday :)


This amazing image, by the way, is from Flikr's Creative Commons site. It is in Travis Hornung's album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/awfulshot/

This Sunday: Food for the Soul

This Sunday, January 23rd, we will gather for a discussion about how eating together can be seen as spiritual formation. And, appropriately, we will eat together! 

Location: Jesse & Kellye's House
Time: 5:30-8:00pm
Details: I want to discuss an article entitle "Food for the Soul" by Lisa McMinn. It raises some questions and challenges about understanding eating and the food we eat as spiritual formation and a just action. While we talk about the article, we will eat! Kellye will prepare most of the food, but it would be great if a few people could volunteer to bring either a bottle of wine or a dessert.

Please leave a comment to say if you are coming so we can be sure to have enough food. 

Also, I have uploaded the article as a .pdf if you are interested in reading it before the gathering. You can access it here. 

Report on the Planning Meeting

Yesterday Nancy hosted the planning meeting. She facilitated a great introduction where we reflected personally and asked "In the context of the cohort, what do we need?" Several answers that were shared were: Community; Friends; Freedom; to be Challenged; Consistency; Authenticity; and more. It was meaningful to hear from people about what they were needing from the group.

Then we talked about specifics about ideas, gatherings, and planning times and locations for the next few months. I have updated the Google calendar (see the right of this page). I tried to include as much information about time, location, and a brief description of the event, so if you click on the event, some more information should come up. I also wrote out all of the planned gatherings in a google document so you could read through what we are planning for the next few months. You can see that here. If you have ideas or questions about specific gatherings, please let us know!

A few small details:

• We found out that the Global Gallery in Clintonville has a standing 3pm knitting group on Sundays. So, we are trying new locations for discussions, such as the Main Library, the Cup O Joe on North High Street (where we had the Hell discussion) and any other place you can recommend!
• We may try to check out the "Expresso Yourself Music Cafe" sometime soon. Scot knows the owner and it looks like a cool place.
• Guys will be doing poker night on a Friday night sometime soon. 

I'm very excited for the next few months of cohort gatherings. I think we have some great things planned! Hope to see everyone soon.

UPDATE ON PLANNING MEETING

I found out that there are a few who cannot attend the 3:00 planning meeting tomorrow (Sunday January 9) and the purpose of this post is to set a new date for the planning meeting for January 16 instead.

I hope that is not too disappointing. I would love to have coffee tomorrow at 3:00 with anyone who is interested!

Adam, Kara, Henry and I had the opportunity Friday night to meet with a couple who had found our blog and wanted to find out a little more information.

In that conversation, a wonderful question came up...how has being a part of the Cohort helped you connect with God?

As you go about this week, and in anticipation of our planning meeting, please reflect on that question. We can begin the meeting by taking a bit of time to share our answers with each other as well as our hopes and needs.

See you on the 16th at 3:00!

Nancy

(Please comment if 3:00 is not a good time for you and another time is better.)

Please Come

This Sunday, January 9, I invite you to my home in German Village for communion, prayer, a lesson from Advent and a look at our future. I love the turning of a new year because it offers new beginnings and fresh hope.

We will begin at 3:00 p.m. at 750 South Lazelle Street. I know that you are all very busy, but I humbly ask that you come. You are loved and you are needed.

Thank you in advance,

Nancy

Also, in case you were wondering...

"The emerging church isn’t dead. It’s just finally wrestled with the angel and won. It’s shedding it old image, the one that got people so riled up in the first place. The conversations won’t ever go away because in the end, we’re looking for what it means to be human. We’re looking to discover the reality that Jesus was trying to present, one of infinite grace and beauty, stark reality of the kingdom of God in our midst, and a renewed sense of possibility for the restoration of the world." 


This is from the recent "State of Emergence" posted by Emergent Village, written by Jonathan Brink. 

If you are interested...

A friend from my "old days" in Grove City Vineyard is blogging about why the missional church plant he has been working on in California has not gone the way he envisioned. There are several really interesting things he says. In my opinion, he is cutting through to the root of what following Jesus' teachings in a committed community really looks like. Check out some of the "Pastoralia" posts here and here

One quick quote:

"It's easier to build coalitions for restoring former glory than it is to lead people into the uncertain possibilities of what could be. I'd rather fail at the latter than succeed at the former." 

Also, at the end of this post he talks about the challenge of leadership plurality.

One reason I think this is relevant to the cohort is that, while we don't spend a lot of time talking about being "missional" or being some sort of "church" - I truly believe that we are doing a new kind of Christian thing in Columbus. We have chosen to live out our faith in a different way for different reasons. We are experiencing the pros and cons of our decision every week. Kel and I talk about it all the time. You probably do too. We may not always realize it, or talk about it, but we are pushing into the future of Christian faith in bold new ways.

POINTLESS Christmas Party

Sat. Dec. 18
7:00pm
179 Bridgeport Way
Delaware, OH 43015

Meats, drinks and table service provided

PLEASE BRING: side dishes, desserts, appetizers and any "special" drinks you may want to share.

PLEASE RSVP: # attending and dish(s) bringing.


GIFT EXCHANGE: $10.00 (OR LESS!) limit. Gender neutral. Per Mary "something nice not junk" (please direct inquiries about definition of "nice" to Mary) Home made or hand crafted welcome.

Sunday Mass 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, December 12 Mike and I are planning to attend the 9:00 a.m. St. Mary's Catholic Church Mass at 684 South 3rd Street in German Village.

We would be very happy to have you join us.

Nancy

Is the Cohort "Pointless"??

I think this is an incredibly insightful and thought-provoking post from Dan David Hayward, aka naked pastor. He describes the church as being "pointless." A selection from the post (with emphasis added):

If a church has vision and is goal-oriented, then it has deviated from its healthiest self and will impose burdens on its members. It will have become something else… like a lobbying group, an activist group, a missional group, or something other than just a church. It can still call itself a church. But it should admit it has opted for a utilitarian identity rather than just accepting its identity. A church will have to choose to be utilitarian or just be. It can’t be both.

In other words, churches should be pointless. Pointless like my family is pointless. My family is not without its problems and issues, but it is a vibrant, rich, joyful and dynamic community. But it is completely pointless. It doesn’t mean things don’t happen or that we haven’t had an affect on others or the world. But we are pointless. We’re not even intentionally pointless. We are just pointless. And I love it for that. That’s why I love to go home every day and just be, just relax, just love and be loved.

What do you think? Should church be "pointless" as Dan David suggests? This is very contrary to the contemporary idea that each church should find its identity, its mission and its purpose. But part of me really resonates with what Dan David is saying and I think he is on to something. I think he is describing that indescribable aspect of the cohort that makes it so valuable - we don't have to work at it. We don't have to force it or make it "something." It just is.


Are we pointless? Is that a good thing?

Celebration of the Faithful: Advent Conspiracy

Hi everyone -

Tonight (12/5), Kristen is hosting the Celebration of the Faithful at 5:30pm. We will be looking the Advent Conspiracy - a movement that began about four years ago by a few pastors who felt that the true meaning of Christmas (love, worship, excitement) was being hijacked by consumerism, business, and stress.

We will be celebrating with food and fellowship, and will be discussing the four principles of Advent Conspiracy.

If you want to come and have questions or need directions, feel free to email Kristen at kmkuzmick@gmail.com.

Hope to see everyone there!

What the hell??

Although the title of this post is a poor attempt at a joke, this Sunday we will be having a serious discussion about the theology of the afterlife, specifically the reality of hell and the implications of the traditional doctrine of hell as taught by the evangelical church.

Kyle Porter, who has done some great blogging at "Thoughts in Pencil," will be leading the discussion and sharing with us some of the information he's gained by examining the issue on his own.

This will be an open discussion and a chance to share questions, doubts and uncertainties about this difficult issue. Perhaps no other issue has the potential to be as divisive, challenging, and involve such serious ramifications. So while we will be respectful as always, we also want to present the opportunity to be real with ourselves and each other about what questions we may have.

We will meet at 3pm at the Global Gallery in Clintonville. (3535 N. High St.)


LOCATION CHANGE: Because the community room was not available at the Global Gallery, we have changed the location to Cup o' Joe in the Short North, 600 N. High St. (right on "the cap"). I think there is a parking lot just a little bit north, and meters are free on Sundays. Time is the same.

If you have questions or need more info, feel free to contact Jesse (schroeder.jesse@gmail.com, 557-5768)

Advent Quotes

Here are the some of the quotes I shared tonight from the book, "Bridges to Contemplative Living: Advent and Christmas"

"We cannot serve two masters. We cannot listen equally well to the Good News of the Incarnation and to the clatter of a secular season of pious sentiments and credit cards. We cannot equate a financial quarter of accelerated commercial activity with the Church's Advent call for repentance. Advent disposes us to conversion and single-mindedness. We are called to attend to our deepest needs and hopes: to realize the mitigation of human suffering through daily deeds of compassion for and service to our neighbors." - Jonathan Montaldo

"If Christ is the revelation of the whole meaning of humanity, if the meaning of human life is solely and entirely to be found in the fact that I am a child of God, then everything in my life becomes relevant or irrelevant in proportion as it tends to my growth as a member of Christ, as a child of God, and to the extension of Christ in the world of humankind through his Church." - Thomas Merton

"I am at that time of day when I am free, free to find and love myself...and God. All the things that have been pulling at me for years, demanding my full attention, such as the endless responsibility of trying to right the injustice of chronic poverty, have suddenly vanished like a poorly constructed building in Haiti toppled by an earthquake. I am at a kairos time of day, a time when I can give myself a chance to let go of everything I know in order to be carried along by the flow of all I do not know, the very flow of the mystery and true reality of life....Oddly enough, say all the saints and mystics, God is already there. It is I who am missing, hidden in the rubble of my own life, buried under the weight of my countless faults, failures, mistakes and illusions. Now is the time to cast off the burden of the past with all its missteps, concern for the future with all its sudden uncertainty and seek to see the face of God in this present moment, in this kairos time of day." - Gerard Thomas Straub